Our prediction for this Europa Conference League match:
Ajax
Match Time & Date:
07/03/2024
18:45
Prediction: 1-2
Aston Villa
After surviving Bodo/Glimt in the previous round, Ajax will look to claim a major scalp in the Conference League last 16 when they face Aston Villa in a highly-anticipated double-header. The Amsterdammers aim to build on a 2-0 win over Utrecht, but they will have a mountain to climb against the high-flying Premier League outfit. Both Steven Bergwijn and Steven Berghuijs are major doubts, while defender Josip Sutalo misses out through suspension.
The Villans, on the other hand, have been scoring goals for fun of late and given Ajax’s a bit shaky defence, we predict that Unai Emery’s troops are going to emerge triumphant in the first leg. Lucas Digne should be recalled to the starting XI after scoring a late winner at Luton Town, while Jacob Ramsey should be fit for the match despite limping off with injury at the weekend. All Emiliano Buendia, Tyrone Mings, Jhon Duran, Boubacar Kamara, and Diego Carlos remain in the recovery room.
Highlighted Player (Steven Berghuis):
Born in Apeldoorn, Netherlands on December 19, 1991, Steven Berghuis is a Dutch winger who plays for Ajax in the Eredivisie. Berghuis played for the likes of Vitesse/AGOVV, WSV Apeldoorn, and Go Ahead Eagles during his youth career before joining Twente in 2009.
The 183-cm-tall footballer continued playing for the Reds at senior level. After ending his loan spell with VVV-Venlo, Steven Berghuis joined AZ Alkmaar in the summer of 2012, and three years later signed a deal with the Premier League club Watford. After making no more than nine appearances in the English top flight, Berghuis moved to Feyenoord in August 2016, and he has been playing De club aan de Maas ever since.
His main position is right winger, but he is capable of producing fine displays as both left winger and attacking midfielder as well. He made his Netherlands debut on May 27, 2016 in a 1-1 draw with the Republic of Ireland.
Highlighted Team (Aston Villa):
Aston Villa is one of the three clubs that dropped to the Championship at the end of the 2015/2016 Premier League campaign. The Villans host their rivals at Villa Park, the stadium that was opened in 1897 and its’ capacity is 42,682. However, it has to be noted that the highest attendance recorded at the stadium was 76,588 when Aston Villa faced Derby County in the FA Cup back in 1946.
Aston Villa’s fiercest rivals are Birmingham City and West Bromwich Albion. Nonetheless, the rivalry between Aston Villa and Wolves and Coventry City is big as well. Aston Villa have won seven First Division (Premier League) trophies, with the team clinching seven FA Cup trophies as well.
The team’s biggest success, though, came in 1982 when they won the European Cup. The Villans defeated Bayern Munich (1-0) in the title game and Peter Withe was named the man of the match.
Brighton
Southampton
Barcelona
Las Palmas 
Crystal Palace
Newcastle 
Borussia Dortmund 
Bayern Munich 
West Ham
Arsenal
Chelsea 
